AAFP Honors 2026 Family Medicine Interest Groups

July 31, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2026

Media Contact:
AAFP Public Relations
Pr@aafp.org

The AAFP announced recipients of its 2026 Program of Excellence Awards today, recognizing 21 Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs) and one outstanding faculty advisor for their exceptional contributions. These FMIGs were selected for the meaningful impact they have on their medical school communities through innovative efforts to inspire and recruit more students to pursue careers in family medicine.

FMIGs are student-led organizations, supported by faculty advisors and their medical schools. Through hands-on learning experiences, volunteer service, clinical exposure and leadership opportunities, FMIGs help students explore the specialty and prepare for careers in family medicine.

The Program of Excellence Awards honors these FMIGs for their overall contributions to family medicine and for inspiring the future family physician workforce. Winners were recognized at FUTURE, the national conference for family medicine students and residents, where medical students and residents come together to connect, learn and advance their careers. The conference took place in Kansas City, Missouri, July 29-Aug. 1.

“FMIGs play a crucial role in developing the next generation of family physicians. So much of what family physicians do is in relationship building, and that same spirit of community is what brings more students to the specialty,” said Sarah C. Nosal, MD, FAAFP, president, AAFP. “Molding the future of primary care is a big role, but FMIGs show the rest of us what is possible when we commit to our communities.”

This year’s overall winners for the Program of Excellence award are:

  • Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California
  • University of Texas Branch at Galveston
  • John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai’i
  • University of Kansas School of Medicine Wichita
  • Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
  • Duke University School of Medicine
  • University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
  • Oregon Health & Science University
  • Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine at University of Iowa
  • Northeast Ohio Medical University

Categorical Awards

  • Excellence for Innovative Programming

Uniformed Services University School of Medicine

  • Excellence in Programming Champions

Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine – Quinnipiac University

  • Excellence for Promoting the Scope and Diversity of Family Medicine

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

  • Excellence for Public Health and Health Care Systems

The University of South Carolina Floyd School of Medicine Columbia

  • Excellence in Professional Development

Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

  • Excellence in Exposure to Family Medicine

East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine

  • Excellence in Community Engagement

University of Washington School of Medicine WWAMI Network

  • Rising Star

University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill

  • First-Time Applicant

Burell College of Osteopathic Medicine Florida Campus

  • New Event

California University of Science and Medicine

  • Excellence in Community Service

Creighton University School of Medicine

Jessica Zimmerman, MD, from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University received the Joyce Jeardeau Memorial Faculty Award.

Cash Prizes

  • Northeast Ohio Medical University
  • Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine Florida Campus

The AAFP publishes winning applications to share best practices and innovative programming ideas for FMIGs and other family medicine educators nationwide. For more information, visit the AAFP’s website.

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About the American Academy of Family Physicians
The AAFP is the largest national association of family physicians, representing 124,500 physicians and medical students. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on impactful care for people of all ages, races and genders across all medical conditions. The AAFP supports every stage of a family physician's career and provides evidence-based resources, advocacy and community to empower family medicine. To learn more, visit aafp.org. For information about health care, medical conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s patient education website, familydoctor.org.